Higher Scientist - £37,456-42,084 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist to join our Research & Development within the Science, Research and Innovation group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Science, Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.

What’s the role?

The Higher Scientist will work in the pandemic team of the Influenza Resource Centre (IRC) within the Research and Development sub-Group of the SR&I Group. The IRC is responsible for the research and development that underpins the selection of influenza candidate vaccine viruses, vaccine potency assay reagents and influenza vaccine control testing.

The post holder will be part of a team engaged in a variety of activities working proactively with colleagues in the Influenza Resource Centre, other areas of SR&I, the WHO GISRS network and the wider influenza community. Key activities will include development, characterisation and distribution of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), the development of influenza potency reagents and provision of data for World Health Organisation Vaccine Composition Meetings (VCMs).

The postholder will work with a wide range of influenza viruses, including those of pandemic potential: this will involve working at containment levels 2 and 3 and SAPO4 and working with animal models.

Security Clearance must be obtained for this position and requires 5 years UK residency.

Job description

Key responsibilities:

• Perform a wide variety of laboratory techniques including: propagation of influenza viruses on various substrates at different scales; evaluation of potency reagents to support the biological standardisation for influenza candidate vaccine viruses; there is an absolute requirement to work with embryonated avian eggs and animal-derived materials; and contribute to serological studies;

• Generate Candidate Vaccine Viruses through the use of classical reassortment and reverse genetics and perform genetic and antigenic characterization through a variety of molecular biology and serology techniques;

• Contribute to management of the: laboratory; documentation (including health and safety and quality management system documentation); and laboratory equipment, and ensure stocks of reagents and consumables are maintained;

• Apply an excellent understanding of the health and safety regulatory requirements as relating to working with influenza and working at high biocontainment; Deliver activities under appropriate quality, Home Office and Health and Safety governance systems where relevant; maintain professional and productive relationships with external stakeholders (including industry, academia, government departments, regulatory agencies etc.) to facilitate research collaborations, contract testing services and management of products.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact by sharing information as appropriate.

• Laboratory experience: Experience and knowledge of safe working in biocontainment laboratories (e.g., CL3/CL4/SAPO4 experience).

• Virology experience: Practical experience in one or more of: mammalian and bacterial cell culture, virus propagation and titration, neutralisation assays, serological assays, or molecular biology techniques.

• Virology skills: Demonstrate good knowledge and skill in the propagation of viruses (preferably influenza) through avian eggs and/or cell culture and working with animal derived materials.

• Disciplined: You follow processes, operating firmly within set standards, rules and guidelines.

Person specification

Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Working Together (A, I)

• Communicating and Influencing (A, I)

• Delivering at Pace (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Laboratory experience: Experience and knowledge of safe working in biocontainment laboratories (e.g., CL3/CL4/SAPO4 experience) (A, I)

• Quality experience: Experience of working to standard methods and SOPs; experience of working accurately and precisely with an attention to detail typically achieved through working within ISO17025 quality management system, or similar (A, I)

• Virology experience: Practical experience in one or more of: mammalian and bacterial cell culture, virus propagation and titration, neutralisation assays, serological assays, or molecular biology techniques (A, I)

• Animal model experience: Knowledge and practical experience of using animal models to evaluate vaccine potency/immunogenicity or safety is desirable (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• Virology skills: Demonstrate good knowledge and skill in the propagation of viruses (preferably influenza) through avian eggs and/or cell culture and working with animal derived materials (A, I)

• Qualifications: A BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline (A, I)

• Biosafety skills: Demonstrate knowledge of biocontainment laboratories including: using respiratory protective equipment, working in a Class III microbiological Safety Cabinet and safe systems of work (A, I)

Strengths Criteria:

• Disciplined (I)

• Focussed (I)

• Team Player (I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,456, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £10,851 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
• Privilege Leave: 1 day
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
• On-going learning and development

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

The selection process:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.

• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Laboratory experience: Experience and knowledge of safe working in biocontainment laboratories (e.g., CL3/CL4/SAPO4 experience).

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 09/03/2026

Shortlisting date: from 12/03/2026

Interview date: from 23-24/03/2026

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens

• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings

• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required

• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.

The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : The Resourcing Team
• Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Further information

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Resourcing Team at Careers@mhra.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk - info@csc.gov.uk - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ